Plastic impeller



United States Patent PLASTIC IlVlPELLER Horace A. Chubhuck, Belleville,Mich, assignor to Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Mich., a corporation ofDelaware Application August 1, 1955, Serial No. 525,614

2 Claims. (Cl. 103-115) This invention is concerned with a pumpingapparatus and more specifically with an impeller usable in centrifugalpumps. This invention has been particularly developed for use in thecoolant pump of internal combustion engines, although its utility is byno means so limited.

This structure is best understood by a study of the figures in thedrawing of which:

Figure 1 is the elevation of a pump impeller, and

Figure 2 is a cross section of this impeller taken along the line 2-2 inFigure 1.

In an effort to produce a durable, inexpensive and eflicient pumpimpeller, resort has been had to the use of a plastic impeller bodymounted upon a central metal shank. Any suitable plastic may be used forthe body, although for reasons of economy and durability theconventional phenol formaldehyde type of thermo setting plastic may wellbe used. Similarly, any convenient metal may be employed for the hub.Actual practice has settled upon a sintered powdered iron hub.

As shown in Figure 1, this impeller comprises an impeller body of anysuitable plastic mounted upon metal impeller hub 15. Impeller body 10 isdivided into a plurality of and preferably eight radial channels 11 byradial blades 12 which are molded integrally into plastic impeller body10. The radial bladm 12 terminate peripherally in bifurcated notches 13.The bifurcated notches 13 extend inwardly from the periphery of theblade. Blades 12 are connected with the central hub portion of theimpeller by radial sections 14. While the radial sec tions may be ofuniform height, it is preferred to alternate between radial sections 14having a height substantially equal the height of blades 12 and thosehaving a much lesser height.

The provision of at least two holes 16 through the body of the impellerhas been found to substantially improve the pumping characteristics ofthis impeller. While more than two holes are helpful, this number isusually adequate to give the desired results.

2,782,722 Patented Feb. 26, 1957 Figure 2 is a cross section of thestructure shown in Figure 1 and demonstrates the shape of the side ofthe impeller body remote from blades 12. It will be noted that this sideof the impeller slopes toward the face containing the blade as oneproceeds from the hub to the periphery.

While plastic has been disclosed as the preferred material for theimpeller body, this member may be fabricated from any material suitablefor the contemplated service.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to theexact construction shown and described, but that various changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A pump impeller comprising an impeller hub supporting an impellerbody, said pump impeller body being provided with a series of radialchannels separated by bifurcated radial blades and being furtherprovided with a plurality of holes through the impeller body atlocations intermediate the impeller body periphery and the impeller hub,alternate bifurcated blades being of substantially uniform thickness inan axial direction, the blades intermediate said alternate blades beingsubstantially reduced in axial thickness near the impeller hub.

2. A pump impeller comprising an impeller hub supporting :an impellerbody, said pump impeller body being provided with. a series of radialchannels separated by bifurcated radial blades and being furtherprovided with a plurality of holes through the impeller body atlocations intermediate the impeller body periphery and the impeller hub,alternate bifurcated blades being of substantially uniform thickness inan axial direction, the blades intermediate said alternate blades beingsubstantially reduced in axial thickness near the impeller hub, the faceof the impeller body remote from the bifurcated blades being inclined tothe radii of the impeller.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,972,865 Broughton et a1 Sept. 11, 1934 2,433,589 Adams Dec. 30, 19472,652,190 Meltzer et a1 Sept. 15, 1953 2,659,312 Wahle Nov. 17, 1953FOREIGN PATENTS 534,486 Great Britain Mar. 7, 1941 565,019 Germany Dec.22, 1932

